AGRI-PULSE, BEN NUELLE, STEVE DAVIES, BILL TOMSON

Supporters of the Growing Climate Solutions Act are signing up new co-sponsors for the Senate-passed legislation in hopes of getting the House to take up the bill.

Virginia Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger, who chairs the House Agriculture Committee’s conservation subcommittee, says 11 more members have become co-sponsors of the bill’s House version, pushing the total to 44.

Spanberger tells Agri-Pulse that if the legislation has enough co-sponsors — she didn’t say how many were needed — the House could take up the Senate measure under the expedited, suspension process. Suspension bills must get a two-thirds majority to pass. The Senate approved the bill 92-8.

The measure is intended to accelerate the development of ag carbon markets by putting USDA in charge of certifying farm advisers and credit verification services.

By the way: A group called  Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions has started a six-figure, online ad campaign in select states encouraging viewers to tell their House members to support the bill.